Locals are demanding that government take action on climate change on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Leaders and residents from Squamish, Pemberton and Whistler will gather in Squamish for International Climate Action Day to help each other reduce carbon footprints and document a shared concern about climate change.
"This is an important opportunity to influence change in the world on our most challenging global issue - climate change," said Mayor Greg Gardner. "It is the responsibility of each one of us to make the world a sustainable home for us all. We are really proud to be hosting this event on the Sea to Sky Corridor as we adopt a leadership role in all our policies."
The event is part of a worldwide initiative to influence the Copenhagen Climate Conference where a delegation of world leaders is meeting this December to craft a new global cutting emissions treaty.
The day begins with a Quest University-student led critical mass event where cyclists journey from the university to the Adventure Centre starting at 11 a.m.
Gardner and councillors from Whistler and Pemberton will take to the Adventure Centre podium to present their municipal efforts to reduce emissions.
"The Sea to Sky Corridor is not too small or removed to participate in real change," said Kim Ebers of Squamish CAN Education Group. "By engaging our communities to come together on this one day, we are sending a clear message to Copenhagen that climate change is an urgent world issue and actions greater than ourselves are required."
The day will also feature a nature walk, feature screening of the documentary The Age of Stupid, environmental speakers, and educational booths designed to help people reduce their own carbon footprint.
"This day is all about spreading the awareness that we must do our best to lower carbon dioxide levels," said Ana Santos of Squamish Climate Action Network (Squamish CAN). "As residents gather in the Sea to Sky Corridor, communities from all corners of the globe will also be coming together to send a clear message to the world that we are committed to making this happen."
Attendees can send their own message with the help of a large handmade carbon footprint banner featuring individual comments and inked footprints from community members concerned about climate change. The banner will be sent to the Copenhagen.
Santos will also send a photo of Sea to Sky community members in the shape of "350" taken that day in homage to the global initiative that inspired the event. The name "350" stands for "350 parts per million" - the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere many scientists estimate is the safe limit for humanity. The current level is at 385.92.
Squamish is just one of several hundred communities around the world acknowledging International Climate Action Day on Oct. 24 as part of an initiative known as 350.
Related events will be held at Parliament Hill, Taj Mahal, Great Barrier Reef and several Canadian cities, including Vancouver and Victoria. Largely co-ordinated online, 350 is a global movement to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Squamish CAN's 350 event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at the Adventure Centre Saturday, Oct. 24. For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.squamishcan.net or contact Ana Santos, Squamish CAN co-ordinator, (604) 892-0305, [email protected] Kim Ebers, Squamish CAN Education Group, (604) 815-4994, [email protected].
